Chapter 67 If I Can't Perform, She Can't Either

• The Swan Lake ballet routine had been co-choreographed by Teacher Lee and another faculty member. While the ensemble sequences were important for building atmosphere, Teacher Lee had factored in Zoe's pregnancy from the start, slotting her into a low-impact background role with simple choreography that could easily be absorbed by the rest of the corps de ballet if she missed a rehearsal. Dropping her wouldn't sink the production.
• Besides, even if she sat out Swan Lake, Zoe still had a second, separate routine scheduled.
• Teacher Lee’s tone left zero room for negotiation. Facing that immovable wall of professional authority, Zoe felt her stomach drop into a bottomless pit.